Mauritanians demonstrate outside US Embassy as Israel widens Gaza offensive

By Mohamed Bakaye

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AA) - Scores of Mauritanians demonstrated outside the US Embassy in the national capital of Nouakchott late Friday as Israel intensified its bombardment on the Gaza Strip.

Protesters chanted slogans holding the US responsible for ongoing Israeli attacks in the blockaded Palestinian territory, according to an Anadolu reporter.

The Israeli army on Friday widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since a cross-border attack by Hamas.

The conflict escalated dramatically after the military wing of Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct. 7 by firing thousands of rockets and sending hundreds of fighters into Israeli towns.

Israel responded with an uninterrupted campaign of air and artillery strikes on the Gaza Strip, and Tel Aviv announced it is preparing for a ground offensive to root out Hamas.

More than 8,700 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,326 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are grappling with shortages of food, water, and medicine due to Israel’s massive air bombardment and total blockade of the enclave.